The First Space War

How the Patterns of History and the Principles of STEM Will Shape Its Form

J. Furman Daniel III and T.K. Rogers

Unfortunately, much of what people believe about war in space has been shaped, or misshaped, by Hollywood and other forms of popular media. In this book a STEM educator and a political science professor team up to explore the possibilities for warfare in space and explain why almost everything you've learned about space wars from movies is disappointingly wrong. The truth is stranger and more interesting than fiction. Using history, politics and STEM as guides, this book provides a detailed account of how Earth’s first war in space will be fought. As we show, it will begin not as an invasion of Earth by super-advanced aliens but by Earth starting a war with its Martian colony.

Chapter 15: Arming the Resistance: They're Coming for Us, Break out the Printers

Chapter 16: Earth Invades Mars: A Strategic Overview

Chapter 17: Physical and Cyber Counterattacks: Don't Mess with a Martian He Might Throw Rocks at You

Chapter 18: Negotiations and Aftermath: What to Do with the Tories?

"In The First Space War, Furman Daniel and T.K. Rogers ask a question that it's not too soon to consider: what would war between Earth and a colony on Mars look like? As prominent figures from Elon Musk to Donald Trump push for human visits to and colonization of Mars, Daniel and Rogers examine what the far future of that relationship could look like if the colony ever decides to rebel. A provocative mix of science and politics, Daniel and Rogers lay out a detailed analysis of the future that will spark lively discussion and debate." — Paul Musgrave, Paul Musgrave, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

“The First Space War is a fascinating insight into the hopes and challenges of colonizing Mars through the synergistic lens of science and mankind’s history of colonization! Eminently readable for the scientific layperson.” — Michael Jones, Naval War College

“The First Space War’s speculative approach to future events, informed by history and the practical science and engineering of colonization, is a rare and fruitful approach to teaching a range of disciplines and the connections between them. The overall narrative is enriched with potential alternatives that can be discussed further. It passes perhaps the most fundamental test: I would very much enjoy either taking or teaching a class based on this book!”— Seth Zenz, Queen Mary University of London

“The First Space War is a compelling look at science fiction and science fact, of international relations and intra-solar system relations, and the prospect for conflict in and over space. At a time when the U.S. government is putting together the plans for its ‘Space Force,’ the authors have provided readers with an important look at the future."— Benjamin "BJ" Armstrong, editor of 21st Century Mahan: Sound Military Conclusions for the Modern Era

The First Space War

How the Patterns of History and the Principles of STEM Will Shape Its Form

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Summary

Unfortunately, much of what people believe about war in space has been shaped, or misshaped, by Hollywood and other forms of popular media. In this book a STEM educator and a political science professor team up to explore the possibilities for warfare in space and explain why almost everything you've learned about space wars from movies is disappointingly wrong. The truth is stranger and more interesting than fiction. Using history, politics and STEM as guides, this book provides a detailed account of how Earth’s first war in space will be fought. As we show, it will begin not as an invasion of Earth by super-advanced aliens but by Earth starting a war with its Martian colony.

Chapter 15: Arming the Resistance: They're Coming for Us, Break out the Printers

Chapter 16: Earth Invades Mars: A Strategic Overview

Chapter 17: Physical and Cyber Counterattacks: Don't Mess with a Martian He Might Throw Rocks at You

Chapter 18: Negotiations and Aftermath: What to Do with the Tories?

Reviews

Reviews

"In The First Space War, Furman Daniel and T.K. Rogers ask a question that it's not too soon to consider: what would war between Earth and a colony on Mars look like? As prominent figures from Elon Musk to Donald Trump push for human visits to and colonization of Mars, Daniel and Rogers examine what the far future of that relationship could look like if the colony ever decides to rebel. A provocative mix of science and politics, Daniel and Rogers lay out a detailed analysis of the future that will spark lively discussion and debate." — Paul Musgrave, Paul Musgrave, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

“The First Space War is a fascinating insight into the hopes and challenges of colonizing Mars through the synergistic lens of science and mankind’s history of colonization! Eminently readable for the scientific layperson.” — Michael Jones, Naval War College

“The First Space War’s speculative approach to future events, informed by history and the practical science and engineering of colonization, is a rare and fruitful approach to teaching a range of disciplines and the connections between them. The overall narrative is enriched with potential alternatives that can be discussed further. It passes perhaps the most fundamental test: I would very much enjoy either taking or teaching a class based on this book!”— Seth Zenz, Queen Mary University of London

“The First Space War is a compelling look at science fiction and science fact, of international relations and intra-solar system relations, and the prospect for conflict in and over space. At a time when the U.S. government is putting together the plans for its ‘Space Force,’ the authors have provided readers with an important look at the future."— Benjamin "BJ" Armstrong, editor of 21st Century Mahan: Sound Military Conclusions for the Modern Era